Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources
Contact Us

Retrospective Case Study in Wise County, Texas

Retrospective Case Studies
  • Case Studies Home
  • Raton Basin, Colorado
  • Killdeer, North Dakota
  • Northeastern Pennsylvania 
  • Southwestern Pennsylvania 
  • Wise County, Texas

Case Study Background

EPA conducted a retrospective case study in Wise County, Texas to investigate reported instances of contamination of drinking water resources in areas where hydraulic fracturing activities occurred. This case study provided valuable insight into vulnerabilities and potential pathways for impacts to drinking water resources from hydraulic fracturing activities such as surface activities, and well construction and integrity.

  • Report: Retrospective Case Study in Wise County, Texas (PDF)
  • Fact Sheet: Wise County, Texas Retrospective Case Study 

Key Findings

EPA could not definitively link or eliminate hydraulic fracturing activities as a source for the brines found in this case study.
  • For two of the study locations there were no impacts to ground water based on the comparisons made between the study data and historical water quality data.
  • In the third study area, two domestic wells were identified as impacted. Based on the screening of potential sources of impacts, formation brines (brines associated with specific geological formations) were the only source that was consistent with the observed impacts to two of the study wells. 
  • A third well that is not being used for drinking water indicated brines and landfill leachate as the potential source for the observed impact in the study area. 

State Activities at the Case Study Location

Texas has taken follow-up actions to protect water resources and to identify the sources of the potential impacts near the two impacted domestic wells.

Sampling Activities

EPA completed five rounds of water sampling from September 2011 to May 2013. Water samples were collected from domestic wells, surface water, and production wells in three areas where homeowners expressed concerns regarding potential adverse impacts to their well water as a result of drilling and processes related in to hydraulic fracturing of nearby wells. The majority of the domestic well samples (15 of 16) were from the Trinity aquifer which is the primary source of drinking water in Wise County.

Data Reports

  • Guide to data reports
    • Round 1 – September 2011
    • Round 2 – March 2012
    • Round 3 – September 2012
    • Round 4 – December 2012
    • Round 5 – May 2013
Location of sampling sites in Wise County, Texas.
  • Hydraulic Fracturing Study Home
  • Final Assessment
  • EPA Published Research
  • Fact Sheets
  • Questions & Answers about the Final Assessment
  • EPA Hydraulic Fracturing - Agency Main Page
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 20, 2021
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.